Gene Genius – One Last Hurrah?

In The Beginning (a little bit after the very)

At the annual Stag Party of the Harrisburg Consistory Scottish Rite Club, a very (forever) young Gene Jimae debuted on the harmonica in front of a crowd upwards of six hundred. Here’s a critique of the gig from the Altoona Mirror, Pennsylvania 22nd April 1948.

The meeting was turned over to Ashby B. Paul, who acted as master of ceremonies for the entertainment which was as follows; Don Ricardo clever juggler, Marie Caprice, who delighted the audience with her songs, Jimmie Jimae a very clever magician and also his son Gene Jimae, who was not on the bill. Gene is Only 4 1/2 years old, but he gave his first performance on the harmonica and he showed himself to be a good trouper of the stage with his clever playing and keeping time with his foot.

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Over The Ditch (’53)

Armand Perren’s ‘Hot Ice’

He is lucky that his father, Mr. Jimmy Jimae, and mother, Joan, are both show people of much experience. They teach him how to “put over” his act-and his father once taught him about music while his mother taught the school lessons. “But I finished teaching him all I know about music a long time ago,” said Mr. Jimae. “When he began to get too good I took some lessons myself to try to keep up with him. But I don’t any more.” (Evening Post, Issue 27310, 29 May 1953, Page 5)

Armand Perren’s ‘Hot Ice’ premiered in Wellington in March of 1953 and completed an eight week tenure. They then headed to Auckland opening on May 26. Gene’s rendition of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ reportedly displayed his technical expertise and received thunderous applause. He was a highlight of the program, so much so that a concert was presented in his honour by local harmonica bands. Here’s his father’s response.

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In Oz – ‘Take It From Me’/‘Big Time’ (’53)

Gene’s first gig in Australia was for David N Martin’s ‘Take It From Me’ starring Joy Nichols at the Sydney Tivoli. Later that year he moved south to Melbourne’s Tivoli where he was heavily promoted on the bill of David N Martin’s ‘Big Time’ featuring Betty Driver.

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Gene’s No Goose (Late ’53)

Gene and others from the production ‘Big Time’ in December of 1953 were woven into the ‘panto’, ‘Mother Goose’ to provide extra oomph – my interpretation. Here’s the write up on the lad from ‘The Herald’,

Producer Ralton James has achieved a judicious balance between the special acts and the pantomime itself, so that the novelties do not intrude on the main plot. Gene Jimae the mouth-organ prodigy and Walton and O’Rourke’s puppets are especially suitable fare for children.

and from ‘The Age’,

One oustandingly artistic set is that of the music room, where 10-year-old harmonica virtuoso, Gene Jimae, makes his bow to the children.

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Royal Duties (’54)

Although I couldn’t confirm for certain, it is reported that Gene performed before the Queen at the Royal Gala Performance at Sydney’s Tivoli held on Saturday 13th February 1954.

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Gene Jimae & Co – The Harmonica Trio (Back in the USA)

Left: HARMONICA MAGIC-The three Jimae’s are appearing at the Shriners’ Dance next Monday. (The Daily Freeman, Apr 25, 1956) Right: Newsday carrier John Harms gets some harmonica lessons from the Jimae Family. (Newsday – Suffolk Edition, Oct 27, 1958)

We know from Ray Grieve’s fabulous book ‘A Band In Waistcoat Pocket’ (The Story Of The Harmonica In Australia), that Gene’s father, James was adept on the chordal harmonicas. He had backed Gene on his eight recordings for Columbia in 1953 playing Hohner Vineta and Polyphonia harmonicas.

This has me believe Joan probably blew the bass harmonica in the trio, although pictured above with a mini. In 1956/57 they were promoted as a family act mixing magic with music, harmonica style, however in 1959 at the Steel Pier they were simply a harmonica trio. ‘The magician and ballet dancer were no more’. (Press of Atlantic City, July 17 1959)

Over to our American Correspondent (Pat Missin) for the missing years:

“February 1958 they were in Lansing Michigan, with a typical vaudeville show. June 1958 they were on the bill with Andy Williams in Atlantic City

March 1959 saw them opening for The Kingston Trio in Atlantic City. In July 1959 (13th to 18th) Gene Jimae and Co were working again in Atlantic City, appearing on the same bill as The Chordettes.

There are no mentions of Gene at all from 1960 or late 1959. Oddly, I am not seeing much in the way of mentions in the music/entertainment press”. Pat

My next step in unearthing Gene’s whereabouts and his harmonica chugging in 1960 might have to be via a Medium.

James also had the ability to make objects disappear and even appear out of thin air. Was this a three person disappearance trick in 1960?

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1960 ‘The Missing Year’ – The Mystery Deepens (& a cat named Foo Foo)

In the article above, in and amongst revelations that include a planned world cruise, James informs the reader of his son’s skills other than those on the harmonica. “He is also a science student, world traveler, authority on ancient coins, crack rifle shot, navigator, skin diver and water skier.”

On Thursday, July 9, 1959, a major local maritime event occurred when The Genie, a 70-foot two-masted schooner, ran aground near the Absecon Inlet in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The vessel hit a sandbar and became stranded in the shallow, shifting waters near the inlet, drawing significant attention from locals and coast guard rescue teams at the time. Interestingly, the feature story on July 17 failed to mention this stage entrance! Or their pussy (see below) reported five days earlier.

So what happened to their sailing-around-the-world adventure? It would explain their prolonged absence from the musical spotlight, although James had suggested in July 1959 it would be 18 months before they would begin their trip. Well it wasn’t in ‘The Genie’ – the 72 foot schooner (sometimes referred to as 85 foot). The Genie was sold twice in 1959. It is possible that they bought another as James refers to a 125-foot schooner. It’s a bit like the fish that got away – or perhaps a bit of abracadabra from James.

BUT THE LURE of the footlights was too powerful, and with the help of a young son, the Jimaes sailed their 125-foot “Genie” into Atlantic City, N.J., creating a bit of excitement. “We were booked at the Steel Pier with Tony Bennett,” Jimae says. (The Miami Herald, July 25 1972)

I’m not sure what to make of these words and where they fit in the timeline. It sounds a little like a comeback, and on a new 125 ft yacht. As Pat ‘Guru’ Missin proclaimed “72 to 125 is pushing it”. Is there sleight of hand and misdirection in James’ seafaring tales? He does have a way with patter and perhaps there’s a wee bit of embellishment too.

I think we can infer Gene had lost his love for performing under the spotlight, and perhaps his endeavours were now invested in joining the forces.

There is reference to a 98-foot vessel named ‘Genie’ in Atlanta during June 1961, although not in the ownership of the Jimae’s.

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Gene Jimae D.O.B

For some time I’ve searched for Gene’s specific arrival date onto this planet with no luck. Even thought there would have to be a mention of a birthday celebration somewhere amongst the clippings. But nup. He even appears to be ten years old for more than twelve months.

Eventually with the Guru’s ingenuity a detail surfaced, a reference to Gene in a 1955 issue of Accordion World. It says he was born August 17th, 1943. That didn’t tally with the 1950 Census statement, which was recorded in April of 1950 and presents his age as being seven. I had attempted a gravesite search in the past with his birth year of 1943. This time, with the added information, we had success. August 17 was correct, however he was born a year earlier, which makes his age in many articles slightly out of whack (add a year to most).

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This Is The End Beautiful Friend

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Brokenhearted

It also appears Barbara (Reeves, Tucson Arizona) was Gene’s stepsister – James’ marriage to Joan was perhaps his second. James Jimae, 86, died on July 11, 1998. He returned to the States in 1990 after Joan’s death in 1989 (aged 69), having resided for sometime in Cessnock in the beautiful Hunter Valley, NSW.

Checkout previous blogs on Gene our ‘Aussie Boy Wonder’ (Mum was an Australian). Gene Genius, Gene Genius Returns and Gene Genius Rides Again (Big Time). Also appears in Moppetry Hogwash and The Dog Went Nuts.

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